NOT trying to start a rumor. But curious about video visits in Pennsylvania

I just noticed the notice on the PA Doc website that says this...

"Soon there will be changes to the DOC's Virtual Visitation Program that will expand Virtual Visitation services to every state prison and to several Bureau of Community Corrections (BCC) sites, at no cost to the visitor/s. Detailed information regarding these changes will be released as soon as the procedures are finalized. In the meantime, please continue using Scotland Yard for Virtual Visitation services until further notice."

I have never done a video visit since there are none near me. So, I guess it's a cool idea BUT my question is. Is this the start of stopping face to face visits? I know some states are doing it. I'm just a bit worried that this is where it's heading.

Like I said... NOT trying to start rumors or anything just very curious is all.

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"Soon there will be changes to the DOC's Virtual Visitation Program that will expand Virtual Visitation services to every state prison and to several Bureau of Community Corrections (BCC) sites, at no cost to the visitor/s. Detailed information regarding these changes will be released as soon as the procedures are finalized. In the meantime, please continue using Scotland Yard for Virtual Visitation services until further notice."

I have never done a video visit since there are none near me. So, I guess it's a cool idea BUT my question is. Is this the start of stopping face to face visits? I know some states are doing it. I'm just a bit worried that this is where it's heading.

Like I said... NOT trying to start rumors or anything just very curious is all.

Usually this is just a way of
1. Companies making more money out of inmates and their families
2. Helping to free up the visitation rooms a little and some prisons are so busy that they then have to make people leave on a first in, first out basis.

The only time I’ve ever heard of them being used to replace visitation altogether was when Joe Arpaio spoke about doing this in Maricopa, Az. It has never actually happened their though. Dang, Az don’t even have anything other than old school methods of communication! As for other states that have implemented this, I’m unsure.

Well, I'd believe it on the money thing but it says "at no cost to the visitor/s" so seems there wouldn't be any money being made. If inmates have to pay then of course it falls on the visitor/family. It just seems very odd to me that they would do this free of charge.

There won't be any money involved. Internet technology allows this to be done with almost no cost.

The program is primarily designed to help families overcome the distance. If you're from Philadelphia and your loved one is at SCI Albion, the round trip makes frequent visits an incredible challenge. Instead, you'd be able to go to SCI Chester and visit virtually.

The Prison Society began the VV program years ago. We had "visiting sites" in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The DOC expanded to install VV sites at a few prisons. Eventually, Scotland Yard underbid us for the program and took over. Now the DOC is ready to do this on their own and use every facility.

I have heard this rumor too...and now with all PA state prisons on lock down for possible drugs which have made staff sick...I imagine will add to their cause to discontinue actual visits : (
Sorry this post isn't very hopeful/positive, but could be a very real thing we need to be mindful of and prepare ourselves for!

The DOC has not linked the current contamination crisis to visiting yet, so it's premature to think that they would take the drastic step of eliminating contact visiting.

The most likely vector is ingoing mail, and they began a test program of scanning the mail for drug residue a month ago.

Visiting has been a vector for introducing drugs but not contaminating staff. Officers who search staff and visitors regularly wear gloves. The visitation jumpsuits worn by the prisoners are laundered after every use, and all inmates and staff touching them wear gloves.

The DOC has not linked the current contamination crisis to visiting yet, so it's premature to think that they would take the drastic step of eliminating contact visiting.

The most likely vector is ingoing mail, and they began a test program of scanning the mail for drug residue a month ago.

Visiting has been a vector for introducing drugs but not contaminating staff. Officers who search staff and visitors regularly wear gloves. The visitation jumpsuits worn by the prisoners are laundered after every use, and all inmates and staff touching them wear gloves.

I actually believe they have linked it, amongst other methods, to visitation....did you listen to the MP4 by Mr Wetzel explaining it all? There were I believe 5 avenues being 'blamed' for the introduction of K2 & Fentanyl to the facilities, Mail, Books & Publications, Visitors, Drones and Staff....I might be wrong on the avenues, but they are the ones that came to mind just now. I'm happy to link to the MP4 if that's allowed?

It's sad that as always, a few bad eggs ruin things for everyone. K2 is an awful, awful substitute for legal/illegal cannabis and the side effects of it are horrific. If you haven't seen them, I suggest spending a little time on YouTube and put K2 Overdoses and/or side effects into the search field.

I hope that regular mail returns to the facilities soon, it's important to so many inmates and their loved ones to receive the actual mail that their loved one has physically touched.

I share the concerns over the recent lock-down and the new policies which were rushed into place. We have a thread for lock-downs and we have a thread for the new policies. Please help me keep the forum organized by posting in the proper thread.